I have a few specific questions regarding seed starting. I have been gardening for five years, but every year, I've been spending $70 on vegetables. I figured for around the same price, I could start my own seeds this year. Anyways, I was planning on getting this light from home depot:

http://www.homedepot.com/h_d1/N-5yc1v/R-100180403/h_d2/ProductDisplay? langId=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053

I am going to put this indoors, so I don't know what to hang it from. I don't really want to spend $80 on a shelving system, so does anyone have any good ideas? Also, I was planning on getting these flats from Park Seeds (and also a variety of seeds from here):
http://www.parkseed.com/gardening/PD/96376
I am going to go with the 48 cells. Has anyone bought seeds from Parks?
I also am not sure where to get the soil. Can anyone recommend this?:

http://www.homedepot.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?lang Id=-1&storeId=10051&catalogId=10053&productId=100582409&R=100582409

Those are all of the things I can think of now, I also have seaweed and fish fertilizer, so I think otherwise I have everything. Are there other things I should be getting?

I also have had lettuce and spinach seeds sealed in a refrigerator for two years, and I have had seaweed and fish emulsion in my garage for two years, should they still be good?

Thanks SO much, and sorry for all of the questions!

Could I make some suggestions that you may find helpful?

Instead of paying money for something to plant in, you can use various items you probably already have at home. Cups, yogurt containers, the containers from the grocery store that you buy precooked chickens in are awesome, etc. If you don't have a lot of luck with germination your first time around, then you haven't invested in special planting cells. Also, instead of picking a light first, take a look at all the posts with pictures of people's light setups to see if you find something that would suit your needs. There's all kinds of ideas. Then you can go to the store with different things in mind and see if you can purchase them. Keep in mind that most fluorescent fixtures are 48" and shelving doesn't come in that length very often. Last year I used the stand from one of those cheap little plastic covered four shelf greenhouses. DH attached it to the wall to make sure it wouldn't fall over, as they're not too sturdy.

If you read the various threads on the Starting From Seed and Growing Under Lights forums, you'll learn a lot. Also the FAQ's are awesome. =:)

I have three of those plastic mini greenhouse a 2 shelf, 3 shelf and just got a four shelf. I have never had a problem with them not being sturdy but I also don't use them outside. I use 2 ft T12 lights and just got 4 T8 lights (thank you craigslist)that I need to get chains for. The growing under lights forum was very helpful for setup.

I also am not sure about my soil. At home depot, they carry Miracle gro organic potting mix. Would it be better to get a high quality mix at a garden store or will that work?
(I am posting this in the "lights forum" as well)

If your flats are 11 inches, you'll need two fixtures, which will be four tubes, per shelf. One fixture to cover eleven inches isn't enough light.

As far as the soil goes, if I remember, the FAQ says to get any type of soil mix for "seed starting", but be careful not to get ones that say weed free. I bought mine at Peavy Mart for $3.99.

Also, don't forget a fan. It's really important to help prevent damp off, and it strengthens your plants. When I first planted last year, I didn't do that, and things were much much better once I learned they were important.

Also, one more thing. Read up on damp off. You'll want to know what to do about it before it happens, not after. I used garlic like Doug Green from simplegiftsfarm.com uses. Just search damp off on his site and you'll find it.

Good luck! It's fun =:)